Liquid Management Head

[airhill]

I wasn't sure where to post this so I stuck it here as it is part of my new column build (well put it together).
I have not tested this and am not at this stage recommending this, I just thought it was interesting.
It appears well built but cost me about $160 AU dollars.

IMG_2814.jpeg

[SW_Shiner]

I was looking at one of those, and almost got one. I'm interested to see how it works out for you.

[LWTCS]

Is the PC intended to be positioned vertically?

[SW_Shiner]

I would put it on an angle, to allow the distillate to run down the side rather than possibly falling right through.

[airhill]

The valve and liebig are supposed to be positioned vertically, if I use the liebig with the length of my column I will be adding a length of copper pipe to its end to bring it slightly away from the column to the collecting jars. The only things I was well not quite worried about as the width of the overflow centering pipe but at least I will be able to see what is going on and modify if necessary.

[SW_Shiner]

I wouldn't worry too much about the overflow pipe. It will do what its supposed to do, till it doesn't. Then it's not an issue. Centering rings used to be a big topic, but there have been tests done over the years that show its not as important as people used to think.

[Roo]

I wasn't sure where to post this so I stuck it here as it is part of my new column build (well put it together).
I have not tested this and am not at this stage recommending this, I just thought it was interesting.
It appears well built but cost me about $160 AU dollars.

IMG_2814.jpeg

Where did you get if from? Looks well made from what I can tell from the photo.

[SW_Shiner]

I wasn't sure where to post this so I stuck it here as it is part of my new column build (well put it together).
I have not tested this and am not at this stage recommending this, I just thought it was interesting.
It appears well built but cost me about $160 AU dollars.

IMG_2814.jpeg

Where did you get if from? Looks well made from what I can tell from the photo.

There’s a lot of similar on AliExpress. That’s where I’ve seen most of them. I have a feeling there are a few places that buy bulk from there, then mark up and sell themselves.

[Roo]

There’s a lot of similar on AliExpress. That’s where I’ve seen most of them. I have a feeling there are a few places that buy bulk from there, then mark up and sell themselves.

Thanks, I did an image search and found a few sellers on AliExpress.

I am trying to educate myself on as many different designs as possible.

[Yummyrum]

I wouldn't worry too much about the overflow pipe. It will do what its supposed to do, till it doesn't. Then it's not an issue. Centering rings used to be a big topic, but there have been tests done over the years that show its not as important as people used to think.

Yup , it’ll be fine .Ordinarily , looking at it and thinking about water , you’d be right to question it , but Ethanol has a lower surface tension than water , so the 95% abv up there will flow real easy down that hole . Many old 2” LM designs had 1/4” pipe for reflux return and it works just fine .

Also as Shiner said , if it overflows the cup and trickles where it wants , no big deal . It will hit the top of the packing and become homogenous within a few Centimeters anyway .

Incidentally , I can see the reflux return in my 2” and it is a steady flow maybe 2mm in diameter . Certainly the 5-6mm dia bore in that reflux return tube will cope no worries .

[LWTCS]

Well, looks designed well enough so that all of that behavior will be visible from the site glass.
So you'll know soon enough if the geometry is does what its supposed to do.

[LWTCS]

I would put it on an angle, to allow the distillate to run down the side rather than possibly falling right through.

Yeah, seems like the angled orientation for drawing product off in the form of liquid would provide better heat exchange.

[LWTCS]

I would put it on an angle, to allow the distillate to run down the side rather than possibly falling right through.

Yeah, seems like the angled orientation for drawing product off in the form of liquid would provide better heat exchange.

You guys remember Joe Rednose's little "egg" condenser for his LM head?

[airhill]

Sorry Roo I would have answered earlier but Shiner answered that. Got mine from ali a store called YO something (Home brew store) I have bought from them before you just have to watch the postage costs.
Yummy the centering pipe has an ID of about 3-4 mm, was just curious as to how the rising vapour would effect the flow its going from a 3" column to 2" to an upward curved restriction of about 1 3/4".
Shiner will offset the liebig.

[SW_Shiner]

I would put it on an angle, to allow the distillate to run down the side rather than possibly falling right through.

Yeah, seems like the angled orientation for drawing product off in the form of liquid would provide better heat exchange.

You guys remember Joe Rednose's little "egg" condenser for his LM head?

I think I do. Was a small graham condenser IIRC. I almost made one for my boka, but it was easier for me to make a small liebig.

[a1laserboy]

Did you get to using this yet? Very interested to hear how you got on with it as I picked one up recently too. Looking forward to running it this weekend.

[shadylane]

Looks like a good design, It would be capable of a wide range of reflux control almost all the way to potstill takeoff speed.
Plus it gives you something to look at during the run.

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[HeyBroChuckNorris]

I finally got the same lm head set up. I used an all glass column with spp (2x18"). Put the PC cooling in line after the RC, and take off temp was about 30 degrees C. So very close if not full Azeotrope.

Here's a quick video of it running

Videoshot_20251206_092202.jpg

IMG_20251125_230027.jpg

[Salt Must Flow]

I finally got the same lm head set up. I used an all glass column with spp (2x18"). Put the PC cooling in line after the RC, and take off temp was about 30 degrees C. So very close if not full Azeotrope.

Here's a quick video of it running


Videoshot_20251206_092202.jpgIMG_20251125_230027.jpg

Great video The video makes it look like more than 18" of packed column. Did you do temp correction for the product?

[HeyBroChuckNorris]

Great video The video makes it look like more than 18" of packed column. Did you do temp correction for the product?

It's 2 18 inch columns of stainless SPP on top of a 6 inch packed with copper SPP. I just used an online calculator for temp correction and got 94.9%. So I guess not quite azeo, but close enough for my purposes. This was also a single run, 9% abv wash in the boiler.

[Salt Must Flow]

Great video The video makes it look like more than 18" of packed column. Did you do temp correction for the product?

It's 2 18 inch columns of stainless SPP on top of a 6 inch packed with copper SPP. I just used an online calculator for temp correction and got 94.9%. So I guess not quite azeo, but close enough for my purposes. This was also a single run, 9% abv wash in the boiler.

My bad, I misread that part about the column height.

OH ... well that's really good for what you were doing. If you do a stripping run, your spirit run would be MUCH better. Much much better. You'll absolutely get azeo and then it's just a matter of determining your max take-off rate to maintain it.

[HeyBroChuckNorris]

My bad, I misread that part about the column height.

OH ... well that's really good for what you were doing. If you do a stripping run, your spirit run would be MUCH better. Much much better. You'll absolutely get azeo and then it's just a matter of determining your max take-off rate to maintain it.

This was the sacrificial run, which is why I ran it as a one-and-done. It was also a great get to know my new column opportunity. I think for my next gumball head, I will strip 3/4 of it, and one-and-done the remaining 1/4 to do a side by side tasting and see how much better the low wines run will be.

I also have some washing soda I was curious to try in the low wines as well, but if I am pulling azeo, is that even necessary?

[Copperhead road]

I also have some washing soda I was curious to try in the low wines as well, but if I am pulling azeo, is that even necessary?

What is “washing soda”???

[HeyBroChuckNorris]

What is “washing soda”???

Sodium Carbonate

[Salt Must Flow]

My bad, I misread that part about the column height.

OH ... well that's really good for what you were doing. If you do a stripping run, your spirit run would be MUCH better. Much much better. You'll absolutely get azeo and then it's just a matter of determining your max take-off rate to maintain it.

This was the sacrificial run, which is why I ran it as a one-and-done. It was also a great get to know my new column opportunity. I think for my next gumball head, I will strip 3/4 of it, and one-and-done the remaining 1/4 to do a side by side tasting and see how much better the low wines run will be.

I also have some washing soda I was curious to try in the low wines as well, but if I am pulling azeo, is that even necessary?

Sacrificial run. Got it. That makes perfect sense.

You will always get cleaner product by doing a stripping run then a slow spirit run. Making clean cuts is key too. One little slip up, a little bit of tails can totally screw up a batch. Been there, done that more than once. I ended up running it again just to get rid of that tails flavor. I'm sensitive to heads too. Sometimes if I get too much heads, I notice it right away. It bugs me until I run it again.

Washing soda (sodium carbonate) is worth trying. It's just another trick to get a cleaner neutral. The very best trick I've ever employed to get the cleanest neutral was clearing the wash before stripping it.

[Yummyrum]

What is “washing soda”???

Sodium Carbonate

This stuff Copperhead . Every self respecting Grandmother had a packet of this in the Laundry .You can also make it yourself by putting Baking soda on a tray in the oven and baking it at about 200°C for hour or so .

It is added to low wines to reduce flavours by some folk . Some swear by it . I've tried it but couldn’t say I picked any difference , especially on a reflux run .

IMG_3455.jpeg

[HeyBroChuckNorris]

Sacrificial run. Got it. That makes perfect sense.

You will always get cleaner product by doing a stripping run then a slow spirit run. Making clean cuts is key too. One little slip up, a little bit of tails can totally screw up a batch. Been there, done that more than once. I ended up running it again just to get rid of that tails flavor. I'm sensitive to heads too. Sometimes if I get too much heads, I notice it right away. It bugs me until I run it again.

Washing soda (sodium carbonate) is worth trying. It's just another trick to get a cleaner neutral. The very best trick I've ever employed to get the cleanest neutral was clearing the wash before stripping it.

Great to know thank you. Do you clear naturally or use an agent like benonite clay? When syphoning , how do you avoid stirring up cloudy much, just pull off of the top and throw away a little extra? Ideally I guess a conical would be best but I can't justify right now. I'm using an 11gal igloo cooler with a ball valve and false bottom, but the flow of the ball valve seems to stir up the muck and ruin a nice clear wash

[Copperhead road]

What is “washing soda”???

Sodium Carbonate

This stuff Copperhead . Every self respecting Grandmother had a packet of this in the Laundry .You can also make it yourself by putting Baking soda on a tray in the oven and baking it at about 200°C for hour or so .

It is added to low wines to reduce flavours by some folk . Some swear by it . I've tried it but couldn’t say I picked any difference , especially on a reflux run .

IMG_3455.jpeg

Yes yummy I thought that is what HeyBroChuckNorris meant but I was unsure as I have never heard of the stuff being added to low wines.
Is that more for neutral ???

[Salt Must Flow]

Sacrificial run. Got it. That makes perfect sense.

You will always get cleaner product by doing a stripping run then a slow spirit run. Making clean cuts is key too. One little slip up, a little bit of tails can totally screw up a batch. Been there, done that more than once. I ended up running it again just to get rid of that tails flavor. I'm sensitive to heads too. Sometimes if I get too much heads, I notice it right away. It bugs me until I run it again.

Washing soda (sodium carbonate) is worth trying. It's just another trick to get a cleaner neutral. The very best trick I've ever employed to get the cleanest neutral was clearing the wash before stripping it.

Great to know thank you. Do you clear naturally or use an agent like benonite clay? When syphoning , how do you avoid stirring up cloudy much, just pull off of the top and throw away a little extra? Ideally I guess a conical would be best but I can't justify right now. I'm using an 11gal igloo cooler with a ball valve and false bottom, but the flow of the ball valve seems to stir up the muck and ruin a nice clear wash

There's a link in my signature for clearing sugar wash. I've been using Bentonite Clay because I currently don't have the patience to just let it clear on its own. Later I went overboard and got a great deal on a conical tank.